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someonelookingpraediti · 1 year

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Subscription Box Comparison - 2023

This year, for my annual book box comparison (it’s happened two years in a row, that makes it annual) I’m comparing five subscription boxes: FairyLoot, OwlCrate, Illumicrate, Rainbow Crate, and A Year of Sanderson. I also received two book-only shipments, and a bonus box to share with you, which isn’t a book subscription: Witch Casket!

Let’s start with some of the boxes I didn’t include this year. One of the companies I featured last year (Book Box Club) has gone out of business - this is something I predicted, because they weren’t any good. Other boxes I’m not including: The Bookish Box - I think this box looks really good, and I’d love to try it, but they don’t ship to the UK. I could use a third party courier, but it would be very expensive. Fox & Wit - this only comes with one item, so I’m not that invested in trying it, I prefer full boxes. And their website is really quite terribly designed - it’s difficult to navigate, and there never seems to be anything available on their UK site. LitJoy - I’ve tried the occasional one-off purchase from LitJoy, and I can’t deny their quality is amazing. But they persist in clinging to their infatuation to H*rryP*tt*r, which makes me very uncomfortable. They say that they support trans rights, and don’t condone the author’s actions, but their worship of the series says otherwise. In this case, actions really do speak louder than words. But even if they sorted that out - their products are just too expensive. Yes, they’re good quality, but they are incredibly overpriced. FaeCrate - I will never, never order from FaeCrate again. I ordered one box - it was over three months late to arrive, which is apparently very common, and their customer service was not just bad, but they were genuinely rude. When the box finally did arrive, it was just absolute tat, and the entire lot went in the bin. Even the book was uncustomised. And on top of that, there was an item that they’d not included, and a note saying that this item would be sent on to me later. I never heard from them again.

Keep scrolling for my comparison! I've updated my scorecard for this year, which I'm using to rate the books out of 20. Click the Box Name to see a full unboxing for each.

FairyLoot Theme: Eternal Featured Book: Seven Faceless Saints - M.K. Lobb Price (before shipping): £27.50 / $35.90 Total number of items: 4 Items I actually liked: 3 Book Customisation Rating: 12/20 Overall: This is usually one of my favourite boxes - but this month's was quite disappointing. FairyLoot is normally really good, but I have seen a drop in quality recently.

OwlCrate Theme: Let's Rewrite History Featured Book: Midnight Strikes - Zeba Shahnaz Price (before shipping): £29.08 / $35.99 Total number of items: 4 Items I actually liked: 3 Book Customisation Rating: 08/20 Overall: This box has improved massively since my last comparison, last year I was considering dropping this box, but now they're consistently good!

Illumicrate Theme: Live Like Legends Featured Book: Lies We Sing to the Sea - Sarah Underwood Price (before shipping): £27.00 / $35.00 Total number of items: 4 Items I actually liked: 3 Book Customisation Rating: 13/20 Overall: I switched to book-only for half the year, but I went back to the full box as their item quality improved. They're still hit and miss, but vastly improved on last year.

Rainbow Crate Theme: Protect Your Own Featured Books: Ravensong - Cayla Fay and I am Not Your Chosen One - Evelyn Benvie Price (before shipping): £37.95 / $46.97 Total number of items: 2 Items I actually liked: 0 Book #1 Rating: 01/20 Book #2 Rating: 10/20 Overall: This is the first time I'm trying this box, and it'll be the last. Although you get two books, only one is properly customised. And there are only two items, neither of which were much good.

A Year of Sanderson Theme: Cytoverse Featured Book: none Price (before shipping): £32.32 / $40.00 Total number of items: 3 Items I actually liked: 1 Book Customisation Rating: N/A Overall: This one-off Yearly subscription was a complete rip off, and it's made me lose faith in one of my favourite authors. This box comes with either a book or box, and the quality is vastly lacking. It's hugely overpriced, and I've been nothing but disappointed.

This year there are also two upcoming subscriptions that I’m eager to try. There’s a sucker born every minute and, apparently, that sucker is me. One is the new OwlCrate Adult subscription that they’re currently working on. The shipping to the UK makes OwlCrate expensive for me, but I'll definitely try getting both boxes for a while, if I can afford it. The appeal of this is that it's a full box, unlike the FairyLoot Adult subscription, which is book-only. The other is the new Illumicrate Horror subscription. I’m keen to try something other than a Fantasy book subscription, and usually the only options are Romance or Spice, neither of which I’m interested in. This is book only, which is disappointing, but it’s a quarterly subscription, which is more manageable!

The two book-only options I received this month are FairyLoot Adult, and a three-month delayed Sanderson book from January.

FairyLoot Adult Theme: Rotten Opulence Featured Book: The Foxglove King - Hannah Whitten Price (before shipping): £20.00 / $28.00 Book Customisation Rating: 13/20 Overall: I've started skipping months for this subscription, and will probably end up dropping it soon. The books are nice, but they come faster than I can read them, and it doesn't seem as good value without the items, even though it's cheaper.

A Year of Sanderson Theme: Secret Project #1 Featured Book: Tress of the Emerald Sea - Brandon Sanderson Price (before shipping): £32.32 / $40.00 Book Customisation Rating: 03/20 Overall: I've made my thoughts quite clear on the overpricing of this subscription. For this month, we only received a book with no items. It was advertised as a "premium" hardback, which it absolutely is not. It's nice, but not worth the amount they've charged.

The last box I'm going to share isn't a book subscription at all! But honestly, it's so thoughtfully put together, and such good value for money, that I had to include it in this comparison post!

The box is "Witch Casket", and as the title suggests, it's a witch-themed subscription box. I've tried boxes with similar themes before, and always been disappointed, but this one blew me away so much that I've decided to make it a regular subscription!

It had an incredible twelve items, all of them exclusives, rather than the wholesale purchase stuff I've received in previous witchy boxes. You often get spell ingredients, candles, crystals, enamel pins, tea blends, incense. Such brilliant value for money - if this also included a book, it would be a perfect box!

#yearly comparison #unboxing #owlcrate #fairyloot #illumicrate #a year of sanderson #rainbow crate #witch casket #book subscription box

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bookishlyvintage · 13 days

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Owlcrate March 2024 unboxing: Secrets & Masks

The Book: The Last Bloodcarver - Exclusive cover, endpapers, reverse dust jacket, foil on the case, stenciled edges (*chefs kiss*)

The Stuff: - Spirited Away inspired umbrella - A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches inspired snack bag - Dragons hanging door sign - A Study in Drowning inspired journal - Shades of Magic Trilogy inspired enamel pin

#owlcrate #unboxing #book box #book subscription #the last bloodcarver #a very secret society of irregular witches #a study in drowning #dragons #fantasy #bookblr #booklr #shades of magic #spirited away #books #book lover #book nerd #special edition hardcover

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quirkycatsfatstacks · 5 months

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Review: The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

Author: Breanne RandallPublisher: Alcove PressReleased: September 19, 2023Received: Own (BOTM) Find it on Goodreads | BOTM | BOTM Reviews Book Summary: Sadie Revelare comes from a long line of witches and magical folk. But their magic comes with a price – every member of the family is cursed. The curse is unique to the person and often correlates to their magic in some way. For Sadie, this…

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perpetualneverland · 2 years

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Here Comes the Sun: The June 2022 Goddess Provisions Box Review

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#budget #goddess #Goddess Provisions #health #lifestyle #Mental Health #Self Care #Spirituality #Subscription Box #witch #witchcraft

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getawayfox · 1 year

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380 words for @hdcandyheartsfest prompt “Surprise”.

Surprising absolutely no one with my thanks to @crazybutgood for the help!🤍

“Could you remind me I need to buy owl treats?” Draco asks, rummaging through the enamel box to fish out the last one.

Harry looks up from his coffee to see a large tawny owl sitting patiently on the windowsill. The sight gives his stomach a small jolt of unpleasant anticipation. “Don’t you want to cancel the newspaper subscription?” Harry had done his ages ago.

The first time the Daily Prophet got wind about them was after they were leaving a Muggle restaurant together: a small Italian place in Soho, probably too close to Diagon Alley. Harry still says that the reporter must have been tipped off; he thought they were being careful. Though, he couldn’t help the brush of their fingers under the table every so often, or the besotted smile when Draco had asked him over for a nightcap.

“Oh, no, where would I get my daily crossword if I didn’t have the newspaper?” Draco says lightly.

The article back then wasn’t very complimentary. Draco had said it was fine in that way of his that Harry knew meant everything but fine. The day after, Pansy ran an extensive feature on Draco’s research success in Witch Weekly. Harry had sent her flowers.

It didn’t stop the influx of letters they both got every morning. Most of the time, it wasn’t too bad. Sometimes it was.

Having paid the owl, Draco turns the pages quickly, clearly looking for something. “Ah. There.” He shoves the paper onto Harry’s mostly empty plate, and points at a small article at the bottom of the page.

Perseus Publishing, known for its popular "Witch Weekly" and "Quidditch Times" magazines, is now set to take over The Daily Prophet at the end of this month….

Harry laughs, suddenly feeling light, like flying, like he’s caught a Snitch. Draco tends to make him feel that way a lot. “Did you buy—? Does this mean? Is Pansy in charge?”

Draco slides into his lap, kisses his cheek, his nose, the corner of his mouth. “Mm-hmm.” Kiss. “No more surprises.” Kiss. “No more Howlers.” Kiss. “All the privacy we want. Just us.”

“Just us,” Harry breathes. Grabs Draco by the waist, kisses him properly. “You’re devious. And a genius.”

Draco preens. “I’m also late,” he says, but makes no move to get up, lets Harry convince him to be late, just this once.

#hdcandyheartsfest2023 #drarry #drarry micro #drarry squad #fluff #fox does candy hearts

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anukulee · 9 months

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Relationship Chicken (pt 2)

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Beta Read and Edited by, Evelyn.Kingsley.

A/N: Before I get hate for using a Loki and Sylvie image, I am only using it because it's the closest thing I have for the mental image we need for the chapter. Though I also don't want any Sylvie hate, while she isn't my idea of Loki's love interest, she is his love interest and we can't change that. I also don't want any Sylvie actor hate, she can't control her storyline, she just goes along with it. Alright so with that in mind let us begin our journey once more...

Creak, chimed the door upon entry as a small jingle made its presence known; before another creak came in upon closing the door, as Ava was now fully inside the door. She felt her heart pounding the moment the door shut, both at the idea of being roped into another blind date and the stares she was likely getting due to the noisy entrance. Ava tried to reassure herself that it couldn't be that bad; at least, she hoped so. This little bit of hope was what kept Ava moving despite her heart being a nervous mess. Through it was at that moment that Ava was reminded of the one thing that Natasha and Wanda had neglected in the briefing beforehand. How am I supposed to find my date if I don't even have his name, Ava wondered as the realization dawned on her. On instinct, Ava quickly reached into her skirt, retrieving her phone and opening the group chat she shared with Wanda and Natasha. The previous messages filled with their usual brand of mischief, and Ava already had an idea of what she would send.

Chaotic Witches

Ava: Is there something you guys forgot to tell me?

Unfortunately, moments after clicking send, Ava remembered that the team had plans that night. Likely at one of Tony's clubs. "Shit," Ava mumbled. She wanted to take it back, but the word sent was already below her text. As a bit of guilt began to sink in, while some people were fine with messaging friends during plans, Ava was never one of those people. She much preferred to have a rough schedule of her friends; that way, she knew when to text or not. A habit that came in handy, especially during missions, Ava having heard tales of how one wrong move, even a text, could ruin an entire mission. Yet Ava's worries seemed to be unfounded because just as she was about to respond with an apology, she felt her phone vibrate.

Chaotic Witches

Natasha: And what would that be?

Ava: I don't know.

Maybe my date's name or at least a photo.

How will I be able to spot him?

Without thinking, Ava responded, clearly a little panic. Seconds later another message pop up, this time from Wanda.

Chaotic Witches

Wanda: Sakra, I knew we had forgotten something.

Nat, why didn't you remind me?

Natasha: You're the mind reader , I thought you'd remember.

Wanda: Clearly I didn't, or we wouldn't be here.

Ava: Guys focus!

After this, it took a few moments before another text bubble, this time belonging to Natasha.

Natasha: I will just text him. No big deal.

This left Ava to wonder how long it took for Natasha to come up with that, given Natasha had a habit of jumping in before having everything. Likely due to her years of training, where she likely had no time to think before she died. Ava waited for Natasha to text her back, hoping it would be a clue to her date's whereabouts. Ava, on instinct, was about to see if she could watch a quick shot from one of her subscriptions on Youtube when she remembered she didn't have any AirPods or anything to listen to. There goes that plan, she thought, as she wondered what she could do instead. Perhaps she could read, something she barely had time to do given the amount of work, it took to be an Avenger. That left Ava where to read on; she could try Wattpad if she wanted some real stories, perhaps Quotev for some fanfiction (a passion from her younger days that held today), though Tumblr or A03 would work as well. Ava debated between them, and just as she was about to choose, she received a box from the group chat. Ava swiped her finger up, going through her open apps before finding the group chats one more.

Chaotic Witches

Wanda: So we found a solution...

Ava: And that is what?

Ava's respondence was more like hers, as she didn't wish for any more pre-longing games. Her initial guilt was now absolved. They had enough time if they were texting her.

Natasha: Impatient much?

Ava: Considering you set me up on a blind date,

without telling me his name,

I think you owe me.

Wanda: She does have a point, Nat.

Natasha: Not helping anyway, he says he is near the back,

wearing a black suit.

Ava: Good, next time we do this, try to remember to tell me this.

Nat: You said we are never doing this again, remember?

Ava: Exactly.

With this, Ava closed out the group chat and went in search of the back, yet she found it was the last thing she expected, as rather than be faced with a stranger, she instead found Loki in his place. It was at that moment when Ava truly felt her heart stop.

"What are you doing here," was the first thing Ava asked once she could feel her heart start again.

"Oh, how I love your greetings, darling," Loki exclaimed, paying no mind to the irritated tone of his partner.

"Not the point Friggason."

"Isn't it?"

Barely even a minute into this and Ava was already putting her hand to her head. "Just tell me why you are here."

"To take you out, of course."

"You're my blind date?" she questioned, in disbelief.

"Yes."

"No."

"No?"

"Yes."

"Are you truly so discouraged to see me?" The look that flashed on Loki's face was one of hurt, something that Ava hadn't expected, yet rather than dig deep, she instead ignored it, still thinking this was a part of his game. Yet perhaps if she had looked closer, maybe then things would be different; alas, she didn't.

"I just wasn't expecting you."

"Clearly." A quiet silence drifted over the two of them, something very uncommon given their usual bickering nature. It was as if each was trying to figure out what to say. Treading ever so close to the edge yet never going beyond it, at least not before seeing if the other would do the same.

Ava, rather than up and leave, did something she was expecting to, as words she never thought she would say came tumbling out. "So what do we do now?"

Hearing this seemed to snap Loki back into himself as soon as he had his usual manner. "Why go on a date, of course."

This only confused Ava further, wondering what his end game was. "You and me." She pointed her finger between her and Loki.

"What else?"

"And if I say no?"

"Then that is your right, but by the sounds of it, I may be the best date you've had in a while."

"And you know this how?" Ava's arms were already crossing against her chest, guarding herself, awaiting a punch line that was never going to come.

"Next time you, the assassin, and the witch wish to discuss personal matters, I would suggest you do it without me present."

"You were listening?"

"You weren't particularly quiet dearest."

"Doesn't mean you should've been listening."

"And why not? You were in a common area where anyone could hear."

"Yes, but...."

"But what?"

"Nothing. The point is you shouldn't have been listening."

"It is far too late for that now, isn't it?"

"I suppose it is."

"So, how does my offer sound?"

"What offer?"

"Why the offer to take you out, of course." A smile began to cross Loki's face upon saying this, something that only seemed to tick Ava off more.

"And why would you do that?"

"Because I am hopelessly in love with you, my darling Ava."

A cruel laugh escaped Ava's lips before she could stop herself. "You in love with me?"

"Is that so impossible that I be in love with someone?" Another hurt look crossed Loki's face, and rather than ignore, Ava chose not to.

"We both know that isn't what this is."

"And what is this exactly?"

"One of your pranks."

"My pranks?"

"Isn't it?"

"You honestly think me confessing my love is one of my pranks?"

"Isn't it?"

At this, Loki did unexpectedly to Ava's, as he began to rub his hand against his forehead almost as if he was irritated. But he couldn't be irritated, could he? After this, it seemed to take Loki a few moments to piece together what to say.

"Norns above help me," he mumbled under his breath, likely thinking Ava couldn't hear him. It was after that he seemed to piece together what to say. His hand remained on his head. "You know most people would be happy to hear a god confess his love, much less take them on a date, but not you. You think it's a prank."

"Isn't it?"

"No."

"If it isn't, then why are you doing this?"

Loki proceeded to rub his hand against his head once more before looking right at Ava, his eyes not filled with mischief but something that almost looked like seriousness. "You honestly don't get it do you?"

"Get what?"

"That I want to take you out?! That this is all I have ever wanted."

"And why should? Why should I believe you? Just as you spin the words, you could easily take them away."

"You think I would do that to you?"

"I don't know."

"I am going to make you a once-in-a-lifetime offer."

"Which is?"

"Let me take you on a date, just one. If you hate it, then you can hate me for the rest of your life. Consider it your last gift from me."

"And if I don't?"

"Then we'll see what happens, with you give me a real chance, and of course, no more dates until we are done."

Rather than be repulsed at the offer as she expected, Ava didn't think it sounded that bad. If she won, perhaps Loki's game would finally end, thus why she found herself asking something she never thought she would. "Just one date?"

"Just one."

"If I hate it, then this stops."

"Yes." A look of seriousness remained on Loki's face, and it was at this moment that Ava honestly thought that Loki was serious. Perhaps this may not be as joyful as I thought. At least, she hoped it wasn't because she was about to do the last thing she ever thought she would do.

"Fine, try to seduce me all you like, but you won't succeed."

"Won't I?" A devilish grin breaks across Loki's face as he holds out his hand, "So I take it we have a deal?"

"Yes," Ava said as she took his hand into her and gave it a firm shake, not knowing what was awaiting her.

@michelleleewise @muddyorbsblr @mochie85 @mcufan72 @holdmytesseract @the--sad--hatter @loki-smut-library @lady-rose-moon @lokisgoodgirl @lokisgoodgirlbackup @lokisbirdofhermes @lokisprettygirl @lokisprettygirl22 @lokiprompts @lokiprompts21 @smolvenger @queen-paladin @eleniblue @lokiburdenedwithgloriouspurpose @lokibug @iamlokisgloriouspurpose @lokischambermaid @friggadottirr @five-miles-over @ijuststareatstuffhereok89 @lotsoflokilove23

#angst with happy ending #loki friggason #loki x oc #loki #loki x female reader #fluff #ignoring canon #loki marvel #loki fanfic #no loki was harmed #tom hiddleston #loki of asgard #Youtube

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esoteric-chaos · 1 month

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Keeping a digital and physical Grimoire, Book of Shadows and Book of Mirrors has really helped me properly organize my thoughts and practice. Digitally I can save it within there, type it up, print it out and neatly place it within my appropriate book (I actually print it out on these fake old pieces of paper cause I’m extra).

I keep a both a digital and physical because if I ever lose one or the other? I’ll always have my information sort of like a backup but there’s also some things like pages or art I get from a witch subscription box that I like to tuck in there.

I keep everything on OneNote, I find it a wonderful source to type up and save my information. That and I can have the app on my phone for on the go.

My Grimoire maybe one day I’ll show some screens or some pictures of my book but as a personal thing I will not show any of my Book of Shadows or Book of Mirrors. Definitely will show my Herbalism/Herbalist book one day though!

#salems personal post

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stevenbasic · 1 year

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Growing into the Job Post 283: Late Night TV, p2

I…hadn’t seen TV for a while. I just plain old hadn’t had one since Sheryl had kicked me out, since I’d moved into this tiny little upper-floor studio over the office. Even before that, though, I was never a big television watcher. I’d generally rather entertain myself with a book, a movie…or these days perving over pictures of Melissa. But earlier today I’d come home after work to find that Marisela had set up a big-screen TV in my apartment for me, perched precariously on a stand, sitting atop an old dresser in the corner. She’d hooked me up with a bunch of streaming services and channels, and connected it all somehow to a plain little black box and an old-timey looking remote with what were certainly not English command symbols. Cool, I guess…it looked sorta fishy but there’d be no bill or fee or whatever, she told me, and therefore I didn’t ask too many questions. Pirated? Probably. But I couldn’t afford subscriptions, let alone the 72” flat screen that now dominated my apartment and at which I now stared from my threadbare couch at 2am.

TV was weird, these days. I watched the network news for a while, earlier. Everyone was talking about these three missing teens, disappeared since Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night. They suspected foul play from the kid who was with them, the one with the crazy story about witches with tentacles. In fact I’d seen an interview with Sheila Frances, the new medical director at Riverview Hospital, the place from which I’d recently had my privileges suspended and where the boy was currently being held for observation. “We expect the toxicology reports to come back positive,” she’d said to the interviewer, a busty brunette, “but in the meantime the policewomen are still with him.”

I found it funny how she made a point to say ‘policewomen’. That when talking about the investigators, or the team of docs working with the kid, she referred to them all as ‘she’ or ‘her’. I found it unusual that the interviewer, the news anchors, the sports reporter, and the weather person for this local news squad…they were all women. Most of the actors on the ads, the main leads on the majority of the shows I flipped through: all female faces. Young and attractive, lots of times shapely. Had this trend, this fixation for the tall and buxom, already changed TV’s landscape like this? Or was I just imagining things? I mean, I wasn’t complaining. I mean…wow. Look at the knockers on her…this new sitcom about life on Mars? Apparently NASA has new standards for its astronauts haha. Or the girls on this 24-7 reality TV show? “Celebrity House of Trouble”? Wait…did I recognize that one?

Yikes, 2am. I'd been straight-up channel surfing for hours, now bleary eyed and exhausted but unable to look away, sitting in the dark, bathed by the ghostly, flickering light of the screen. I chalked it up to its newness, made my excuses that I was just checking out what sort of stuff Marisela had hooked up for me, told myself I could sleep in tomorrow. But I was basically like a zombie - click, click, clicking through the channels I’d been given. Networks and streaming services: some I knew, many I didn’t recognize. Cooking channels, travel channels, sports channels. Weird stuff, on the outskirts. Foreign languages, broadcasts from overseas. Special interest channels like…dog grooming. A ‘Men’s Network’…what’s this, now?

It was labeled as ‘Men’s Special Interest Television’ on the guide, and by the looks of it was a pretty new addition to the channel lineup, deep in the high channel numbers, broadcasting only late at night. But…wow. It caught my attention. Jesus - the host for whatever sort of show they were playing, something about video games, could be a porn star with hipster glasses. I actually watched it for a bit, raptly absorbing their review of some new entry that involved, holy shit, look at the jugs on that enormous vampire lady. She’s huge…

The segment was over, and suddenly now it was a cooking show. “Dani in the Kitchen”, whose bosomy, MILF-y chef coo’d at the camera like she was talking to a little lost child. Christ almighty Dani can make dinner for me any time. Now it switched to a sports report, now coverage of women’s bodybuilding, now just straight-up tits on the beach. Camera shots lasted moments, scenes and programming changed quickly. Whatever this channel was, it obviously pegged its audience as having attention spans measured in moments and IQs in the double-digits…and I couldn’t look away.

Even the ads…lord, especially the ads…were filled with content playing into man’s basic instincts to just flat-out stare and lay docile when shown the right curves, the proper swells and smiles. Cleavage and soft-core and busty political candidates pitching themselves before the election bulged from my screen and I caught myself with my mouth agog, even at the political ads. Had I been watching this channel for more than two hours already? I don’t remember much, now, as I was eventually drifting in and out of sleep, but could still probably recite word-for-word that voice-over from the self-promoting station-identification piece that played in nearly every commercial break, layered over imagery that seemed custom crafted for someone like me…

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Thanks to Ray Ridley, a new contributor, for her voice work on the MSIT promo audio, and AgeOfTheGiantess for lots of inspiration on this entry.

Ray Ridley tiktok

#growing into the job

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